Flores is Turning Heads Through Second Day at Elite 11
STILLWATER – The Elite 11 quarterback competition rolls on in Redondo Beach, Calf. and Oklahoma State quarterback commitment Zane Flores out of Gretna, Neb. is there and competing really well. Outside of the some of the assumed top competitors at the Elite 11 like Malachi Nelson out of Los Alamitos, Calf. and committed to USC; Denton Guyer quarterback Jackson Arnold pledged to Oklahoma; and recent Miami (Fla.) commitment Jaden Rashada of Pittsburg, Calf.; Flores from a small school in Nebraska was considered a dark horse out of the 20 quarterbacks. Most rankings after the first two of three days (June 30 is the final day) have Flores ranked around No. 10. The final announcement on the Elite 11 will come after the competition on day three.
Flores speaking to a national Youtube broadcast from 247Sports said he was very excited to get to the Elite 11 Finals and work with those folks such as director Brian Stumpf and longtime Elite 11 instructor and former Super Bowl winning quarterback in the NFL in Trent Dilfer.
“It’s been pretty wild, growing up watching these videos (Elite 11) you know the first day I was excited to get in here and compete against these guys,” Flores said to Josh Pate and Steve Wiltfong, national 247Sports recruiting staffers. “It was a good time.”
He was also asked as we’ve asked in interviews with Flores about his March decision to commit to Oklahoma State. We knew he had forged a strong relationship with quarterbacks coach Tim Rattay, and he was asked about that OSU offensive pizzaz.
“Like you said, the offensive style, I think that will fit me really well and I’m excited to play in it,” Flores responded. “Then like the whole staff, a lot of great people and I’m excited to be down there. Like I was saying earlier, all these things that dream about as a kid, I always wanted the opportunity to play college ball. Now, that I have that competing out here is really great.”
Flores, who had just come off the field there at Redondo Beach before the interview, said he grew up in Gretna, Neb. a Nebraska Cornhuskers fan, but he wasn’t offered initially by Nebraska and he did his diligence with his family in recruiting.
“I realized there were options out there and at the end of the day I realized Oklahoma State was what was best for me,” Flores added.
Today (June 30) is the final day of competition and we will see where Flores lands after the Elite 11 staff makes their final rankings. I know this, arm strength and accuracy the young man will score high points.